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Yikes! Condemned 2 looks scarier than ever
Watching this newly released video of Condemned 2: Bloodshot only serves to remind us of all the sleepless nights spent huddling alone in our beds like scared little girls after playing through the first game. Only Condemned 2 is upping the stakes quite a bit with scarier monsters, way more violent gameplay and oh yeah, Ethan has gone absolutely crazy, which will only make the line between reality and hallucinations even fuzzier. After watching the video, one thing is for sure, Ethan is ready to kick some ass! [Update: It appears some people are having a hard time viewing the video. Instead of inputting your birthdate like it says in the video, try this method: MM/DD/YYYY.]
Condemned 2 gets delayed until March
We're really excited about Condemned 2: Bloodshot. So excited, in fact, that we're actually not very upset that Sega quietly pushed back the game's U.S. release date from February to March. It probably means the game still needs some more work, and we'd much rather Monolith tune this baby to perfection than to try to rush it to meet its deadline.Heck, at least it's not as bad as the delays for Haze and Home delays, right?[Via Sega Nerds]
Bloodshot steps up to pre-rendered cut scenes
Over on their Condemned 2: Bloodshot IGN blog, the Monolith development crew talks a bit about the evolution and story behind Bloodshot's cinematics and how they are on a mission to greatly increase the pretty factor over Criminal Origins. You see, back during Criminal Origins' development, an inexperienced Monolith ran into some nasty technical issues with the game's cut scenes that caused them "to look very pixelated and 'last gen'". Now, for Bloodshot, Monolith is attacking cut scene creation differently using the game's engine to create some gorgeous pre-rendered videos. Such an improvement over Criminal Origins that we guarantee one of those "wow!" moments when you first play. Make the jump to get the complete Bloodshot cinematics story.
Zero Punctuation boos F.E.A.R. expansion
Having traipsed through the corridors of Valve's American headquarters, Zero Punctuation's Yahtzee is notably unimpressed with the assignment greeting him upon his return. More creepy corridors, this time found in "uninformatively" titled F.E.A.R. expansion, Perseus Mandate. While he appreciates the infrequent mind-bending sequences (they're rather scares, you see), Yahtzee can't wrap his brain around the developer's constant recycling of environments and combat. As usual, hidden within the rapid-fire rants and elaborately constructed metaphors lies an astute observation -- how is this game supposed to be scary if your character's running around with a bloody bazooka? Check out the video after the break... and note the special threat message left for last week's Zero Punctuation imitator.
Video: Condemned 2 teases us with new trailer
Yesterday, we highlighted a mini 1UP discussion video on Condemned 2: Bloodshot and our only complaint was the fact that the video didn't showcase more in-game goodness. Talking about the game, its features and what we can expect is good and all, but we like to see skulls bashed in first hand.So, late last night we called in a favor to SEGA (on our super special red phone) and demanded more Bloodshot footage. We went a step further and said we wouldn't settle for anything less than a new teaser trailer. And, as you can see above, they caved in to our fanboy wishes ... no questions asked. So go ahead and enjoy the bloody good Bloodshot trailer (mannequin included).
PGR4 and F.E.A.R. Files demos land on XBLM
Two new game demos hit the XBLM this morning, adding a little bit of speed and a little bit of fear to the Marketplace. The first demo comes from our pals over at Bizarre Creations and is the critically acclaimed Project Gotham Racing 4. Weighing in at a rather hefty 1.27GBs, the demo includes three racecars, two bikes and features an exclusive Nürburgring Snow Challenge and an exclusive Arcade event. Oh, and the PGR4 demo is available to all Xbox Live locales, w00t, w00t! F.E.A.R. Files: Extraction Point is the other new game demo and clocking in at 585MBs we presume it to be a single player mission-o-fun that F.E.A.R. fans the world around will enjoy. Funny thing is that the demo is only available to US and Canadian Xbox Live members ... so maybe the world around can't enjoy it. Both demos are available for the free on the XBLM right now, so get your download queue on and give 'em a whirl. Read - PGR4 demo Read - F.E.A.R. Files: Extraction Point demo
Video: First 17 minutes of Project Origin
Downloadable over at IGN and embedded after the break is a horror-rich and somewhat spoiler'ish video of the first 17 minutes of Monolith's sequel to F.E.A.R. called Project Origin. And after watching just a snippet of the gameplay video we noticed two themes in the game; there's lots of hospital gear laying around and lots of blood on the walls. So, if you've got a thing for blood streaked along hallways or doctor's offices in general, then give the new F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin gameplay video a watch. That is unless you don't want your game spoiled and soiled, because then we'd advise staying far, far away from this post and forgetting we ever mentioned that the first 17 minutes of Project Origin is posted after the break. Because, you know, it is posted after the break ... just saying.[Via Game Stooge]
F.E.A.R. sequel finally named: nothing special
Remember a while back, we alerted you to the contest where Monolith was allowing gamers to name the sequel to F.E.A.R.? Well, the contest has finally ended and the winning name has been chosen. No, it's not L.A.M.E., but the chosen title is rather ... stale. Project Origin. We feel like we've seen that title countless times! Even though it's fairly unoriginal, it does get the idea across that the next game will all be about the creepy little girl, Alma, and what her purpose is. That's not all, though. Also, on the main webpage, there's a link to the names that got outright rejected. Some of these are pretty entertaining and are worth a look just to see if you can decipher the logic that went into creating them. While this contest ended with a less-than-stellar choice, we feel, it still means progress will be made onto another FPS/Horror game and we're excited to see what Monolith does with the franchise.
F.E.A.R. 2 officially dubbed 'Project Origin'
And no, that's just "Project Origin," not "Pancake Robots Occupy Jamaica Every Century To Obtain Rapidly Ingested Gyration Inducing Narcotics." Monolith Productions told us it was all acronymed out, remember? Defeating the slightly less generic "Dead Echo" and the slightly more ambiguous "Dark Signal," "Project Origin" has been voted victor in the "Name Your Fear" contest. Expect to see the terrifying title transformed into a spooky logo and plastered across the paranormal first-person shooter's marketing campaign closer to its release in 2008. On an unrelated note, is a game about fighting inebriated pancake robots in Jamaica too much to ask for? Let's make that happen, developers.
Not F.E.A.R. 2 officially named Project Origin
Project Origin it is then. After narrowing down the list of user submitted titles to three, Monolith has announced the official name of the sequel to F.E.A.R. The new title, Project Origin, received the most votes and beat the likes of Dead Echo and Dark Signal. Honestly, none of the names seem to evoke the same feeling as the original title -- you know, the feeling of fear -- but there's not much we can do about it now. Like it or not, we're stuck with it. What does everyone think of Project Origin? Was it your pick, or did you want something else? Did you hate all the names? Share your thoughts! Speak your mind, knowing full well that your voice now counts for naught!
'The Cell' director to helm Condemned-related movie [update]
The Hollywood Reporter reveals that director Tarsem Singh is set to helm a film based on the source material that also spawned Monolith Productions' 2005 survival-horror game, Condemned: Criminal Origins. In the year 2000, Singh trapped Jennifer Lopez within the mind of a serial killer and yanked out Vince Vaughn's intestines -- though normally he'd be praised for such actions, both events took place in "The Cell", a visually ambitious film that didn't really please the critics (save for our friend, Mr. Ebert).The film, which will be dubbed "The Unforgettable" (hopefully not unforgettable in the same way Super Mario Bros. is), is to be produced by Basil Iwanyk, David Goyer and Monolith founder Jason Hall. Hall later became senior vice-president of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and then moved on to found production company HDFilms Inc.Details about the movie's plot are scarce, but The Hollywood Reporter expects it to be about "a cop who in the course of a murder investigation realizes that he is not human and uncovers a war between good and evil aliens." In a message on HiDef.com, Jason Hall clarified that the film would be based on the "same founding concept" and would not be derivative of the game itself. Think of them as distant and considerably creepy cousins.[Update: Clarified film's relation to Condemned: Criminal Origins. Thanks, Sir Gossip!]
F.E.A.R. the free Bonus Map Pack
Major Nelson sends word that this morning Monolith has released a free F.E.A.R. Bonus Map Pack downloadable off of the XBLM. This free Bonus Map Pack includes three additional multiplayer maps including the vegetation filled Ecosphere, close quarters battle Hotel and the dark and smelly atmosphere of Sewers. Again, the new multiplayer maps are a free download, so you have nothing to fear but the F.E.A.R. Bonus Map Pack itself (bah dum bah ch!).
There is, apparently, more F.E.A.R. to be downloaded
OK, it's gotten out of hand. Defying any reasonable expectations that fans could have had, F.E.A.R. on 360 has just received its third downloadable content pack in less than six weeks -- and this one's free. Now available for your downloading pleasure are "Ecosphere," "Hotel" and "Sewers." We think it's great they're taking care of their community, honestly, any gamer would be lucky to get this kind of support. But is this starting to seem a bit ... desperate to anyone else? At what point does the seductress giving you come-hither glances from across the room become the weird aunt whose too-small bikini top keeps "accidentally" falling off?
F.E.A.R. sequel title finalists need your vote
The official finalists of the "Name Your Fear" contest have been chosen. You may recall that Monolith and Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment began the contest earlier this year. The winner of said contest will (obviously) get their title slapped onto the sequel to F.E.A.R., and all three finalists have also won the honor of getting their likenesses featured in the game (probably in a more gruesome state than they remember leaving them). But enough of this, on with the final three titles: Dead Echo Project Origin Dark Signal There you have it folks. One of those titles will be the name of the F.E.A.R. sequel. Head over to the contest page and vote for your favorite. While you're at it, you might as well tell us what you picked, too. Alternately, you could come up with your own title, knowing full well it has no chance of making it now. [Via Joystiq]
Vote on F.E.A.R. sequel finalists (no acronyms this time)
After losing their traditional sequel title in a vortex of legality, Monolith and Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment were thoughtful enough to request the aid of F.E.A.R. fans in dubbing the forthcoming and explicitly terrifying entry into the series. The "Name Your Fear" contest has produced three finalists awaiting your ultimate decision and potential derision. In case you were wondering, your suggestions of Undead Kindergarten Crematorium and FPS: First-Person Scary were uniformly rejected. The final trio of titles consists of: Dead Echo Project Origin Dark Signal The option that receives the most votes will obviously stick to Monolith's sequel like electric boo glue. (Sorry.)
Name Your F.E.A.R. finalists announced
A long, long time ago, but in the very same galaxy, we gave you a heads-up for a contest to name the next game in the F.E.A.R. franchise. Well, it's been a while, but some finalists have been announced and their not quite as silly as we had secretly hoped. In fact, they're pretty cool if you're familiar with the F.E.A.R. story. We'll list the finalists below. Dead Echo Project Origin Dark Signal Of the three, we've got our eyes on Dead Echo because of the description written after it. From a writer's perspective, the title lends a lot to the ideas of the game and portrays two words that, alone, aren't necessarily frightening but put together in the F.E.A.R. world, they gain a whole new set of meaning. Check out the descriptions for the titles at the Name Your Fear website and let us know what you think!
F.E.A.R. gets new DLC yet again
We really dodged a bullet today with this new F.E.A.R. DLC pack, called Synchronicity. We were afraid we wouldn't have anything to say at all, there was just a new level pack on July 4 for crying out loud. Luckily for us, they priced the thing at 550 points. Yep, five-hundred ... and fifty. For those of you nervously pounding on your Texas Instruments, let us save you some time. It's $6.87 -- and a half cent. If you needed a reminder that the digital economy in still in its pupae state, this is it. Who played through three new CTF maps and two new Deathmatch/Control maps and was aghast that they would charge 500 points? "I insist, nay, demand you increase the price of this gaming product," the mysterious pricing manager might have shouted, as his monocle fell from his face. "You either raise the price sixty-two-and-one-half cents, or you may consider my resignation at this establishment tendered!" The plot thickens even more when you consider that the last map pack for F.E.A.R. was four maps for 500 points. It's further confirmation of what we all expected ... they're choosing these prices at random. Ah well, at least the spinning wheel isn't landing on $15 any more.
Download and F.E.A.R. the Synchronicity Pack
More F.E.A.R. content rolled out this morning and this time it's new multiplayer maps. For an unusually priced 550 Microsoft points you can get the F.E.A.R. Synchronicity Pack featuring five brand spanking new maps. The new maps include capture the flag/conquer all maps Dead Wood, Labs, and Depot and deathmatch/control maps Waterworks and Stockpile. So, taking into consideration the Nightmare Pack, you now have the option to download (purchase) nine new F.E.A.R. maps in total for 950 points. Fear the map pack purchases!
Joystiq impressions: Not F.E.A.R. 2
It might not be dubbed F.E.A.R. 2 due to certain legal entanglements, but Monolith's upcoming first-person shooter is instantly recognizable, at least unofficially, as F.E.A.R. 2. The name selection contest has yet to produce a final result (plenty of hilarious ones though), but producer Troy Skinner assures that there won't be any acronyms this time. "We're all acronymed out," he says, no doubt referring to the developer's excellent FPS catalog which includes titles like Contract J.A.C.K. and A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way. Regardless, that which we call a Refined Ominous Sequel Experience by any other name would smell as sweet...or something. The now thoroughly-mangled point we're trying to convey here is that the game looks to be strongly building upon the concepts first introduced by the original title, notably enhancing the cinematic presentation and expanding environmental interaction in combat. As Skinner puts it, these are important steps in Monolith's slow-mo shot at producing the "best FPS combat ever."
Even more F.E.A.R. coming this fall
F.E.A.R. is quickly moving up the ranks as the most confusing brand in the gaming world. It's astounding how four letters can turn us from suave, worldly gamers to the grandma who has a stroke trying to figure out why Intendo makes so many different Game Boys. First, of course, there was Not F.E.A.R. 2 (name subject to change) and now there's an announcement of new F.E.A.R. content coming this fall. The first is new PC expansion pack called F.E.A.R. Perseus Mandate, which takes place during F.E.A.R. but with a different F.E.A.R. team, also, there are new enemies. Then we've got F.E.A.R. Files, for the Xbox 360. Now, don't confuse this with the recent downloadable content, no, this is something completely new entirely. Well, new in the sense that it's a combination of the Perseus Mandate expansion and another PC expansion called F.E.A.R. Extraction Point. Watch your back, Mega Man! It's only a matter of time before you get some poison in your ear and F.E.A.R. takes your "Most Diluted Brand" crown.
